OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public
comment on the town of Steilacoom’s proposed updates to its shoreline master
program.

The draft shoreline program update will guide construction and development
along the town’s 3.7 miles of marine shoreline, extending into Chambers Bay. It
combines local plans for future development and preservation with new
development regulations and related permitting requirements.

Steilacoom’s locally-tailored shoreline program is designed to help minimize
environmental damage to shoreline areas, reserve appropriate areas for
water-oriented uses, and protect the public’s right to access public lands and
waters.

Under Washington’s 1972 voter-approved Shoreline Management Act, Ecology must
review and approve Steilacoom’s proposed shoreline program before it takes
effect. About 200 cities and counties statewide are in the process or soon will
be updating their master programs.

After the public comment period has closed, Ecology may approve the proposed
shoreline master program as written, reject it, or direct Steilacoom to modify
specific parts. Once approved by Ecology, Steilacoom’s shoreline master program
will become part of the overall state shoreline master program.

Steilacoom’s updated master program:

Provides shoreline regulations that work in concert with the town’s
comprehensive plan and zoning, urban forestry and critical areas ordinances.

Establishes shoreline setbacks of 10 to 170 feet, depending on the proposed
use and shoreline environment designation.

Encourages soft-bank erosion control methods that protect both property and
habitat and also limits construction of new structures that harden shorelines,
such as bulkheads.

Includes a restoration plan showing where and how voluntary improvements in
aquatic and upland areas can enhance the local shoreline environment.

Helps support the broader initiative to protect and restore Puget Sound.

All of Washington’s cities and counties with regulated shorelines must update
their programs by December 2014. They are following regulations adopted by
Ecology in 2003. The regulations resulted from a negotiated settlement between
58 different parties including business interests, ports, environmental groups,
shoreline user groups, cities and counties, Ecology and the courts.